Our objects introduce themselves

Objects are the heart of the museum and this also applies to our collection. Like those of many museums, it comprises far more objects than we can present in our exhibitions. And some objects have so much to tell, that they cannot always or even never get a chance to speak in an exhibition. Treasures from the magazine, new additions or such curious and space-consuming things as our bulky 1978 Chevrolet Impala hearse now have the opportunity to present themselves digitally and reveal something of their history. At the same time, visitors can also take part in the research with and around our collection from home.

Our collection comprises objects from the late Middle Ages to the present day, mainly from the Central European region. Dealing with dying, death and mourning in the past and present is subject to a diverse and impressive change. This change takes place with the people who are increasingly changing places or participating in the lively exchange about the globalized (net) world. Also through migration, flight and expulsion, religions and world views, traditions and new ideas of an appropriate handling of finiteness are wandering around the globe. The material world of our collection conveys a diverse impression of this.

The living and never stagnant culture of death can be seen, for example, in objects for the care of corpses, burials or commemoration. Like seismographs, art and design in particular react to the changes and needs of their time and have produced a broad spectrum of artistic objects or objects intended for (almost) everyday use.

The most diverse objects tell stories about their time and about those who made, used, destroyed or even buried them. They give us a centre where we can communicate together about our understanding of death, mourning, dying, about identity and finiteness.

More objects follow regularly!

Are you looking for something in particular or do you have a research request? Then you can also find out about our collection in the depot or search our holdings under museum-digital.

The slide and photo archive also contains an extensive collection of historical postcards and photographs.